Happy 24th Shin

Happy 24th Birthday to the

Ultimate Champion,

Rachelle Ann Go

As always, we're forever here

behind you come what may.

Love you, Shin! ♥

Still Alive

Yes, I'm still alive, but have been very tired and very sick lately because of lack of rest. Yes, I know I need rest but I just have a lot of things to do with the play coming very soon, with work, with a video project we're making for AP's birthday, and of course, I need to spend time with my family as well. Rehearsals is 6pm to 9pm every night except Sundays, and on Wednesday, I'll go undertime from work so I can attend our pictorials. Yes, play dates are almost here.

After the play, I will be catching up with my rest, I promise that to myself. And yes, hopefully, I'll also be able to catch up with my posts here.

11 Hours of Madness

Here is the sequence of events that led to a bloodbath in Monday’s Rizal Park hostage saga. The times are approximations based on interviews with the police, witnesses and relatives of hostages, compiled by the Philippine Daily Inquirer:

8 a.m. Driver Alberto Lubang, on board Hong Thai Travel bus, with plate No. TWU-799, fetches Hong Kong residents from Manila Pavilion hotel, where they are billeted, and drops them off at Intramuros. They are on the last day of their group tour.

The Hong Kong tourists roam around to take pictures, see the sights.

9 a.m. Lubang fetches the tourists from the agreed meeting place outside the Manila Cathedral.

9:30 a.m. The tourists board the bus. Lubang notices former Senior Insp. Rolando Mendoza in a police uniform and armed with an M-16 rifle, watching them.

When everybody is inside and the bus is about to leave, Mendoza approaches and asks where they are headed. Lubang says they are going to the airport and Mendoza asks for a ride. Lubang lets him board.

9:45 a.m. Upon reaching Rizal Park, Mendoza tells the driver and passengers: “Sorry, you’re my hostages now.” Lubang thinks he’s kidding.

Mendoza asks the driver to turn toward Quirino Grandstand.

The bus reaches Quirino Grandstand. A parking attendant approaches to ask for the P60 parking fee. On seeing Mendoza’s rifle, the attendant runs.

Mendoza calls his colleagues at the Manila Police District to inform them of what he has done.

An elderly passenger on the bus complains of loose bowel movement and is allowed to leave with tour guide Diana Chan.

Negotiations begin

10:30 a.m. Police arrive. Negotiations led by Supt. Orlando Yebra and Chief Insp. Romeo Salvador begin.

Mendoza posts hand-written messages on the window indicating his demands, including the case numbers of his cases with the Office of the Ombudsman.

12:10 p.m. Four hostages are released—three children aged 4, 10 and 12, and the 39-year-old mother of two of them.

1:15 p.m. Wang Ben, Chinese police attaché in the Philippines, arrives.

1:20 p.m. Negotiators agree to refuel the bus’ diesel tank. Later, a van also approaches the bus. Two men alight from the van and hand over to a negotiator packed lunch and bottles of water for the hostages.

1:24 p.m. Mendoza opens the bus door and frees Lee See Kyu after the 70-year-old tourist asks to be allowed to go so he can have his medication for diabetes.

Police say force will only be used as a last resort.

Filipino hostages freed

1:30 p.m. Two Filipino hostages are released. Mendoza sets a 3 p.m. “deadline” for the negotiations.

2:14 p.m. A man in white shirt and short pants is seen walking toward the bus. Salvador, deputy negotiator, disarms him of a handgun. The man is identified as SPO2 Gregorio Mendoza, the hostage-taker’s brother.

2:25 p.m. Gregorio is allowed to step out of the nearby police precinct where he is being held. He tells the media he merely wants to help in the negotiations and that his brother wants to relay his demands through him.

2:30 p.m. Mendoza’s other relatives, among them younger brother Florencio, arrive. The hostage-taker’s wife, Aurora, appears but begs off interviews.

3:05 p.m. Gregorio and a colleague, SPO4 Robert Agojo, ask Mendoza to extend his 3 p.m. “deadline.” The dismissed police officer gives them 30 minutes to ask the authorities to act on his demands.

3:14 p.m. A Philippine National Red Cross team brings a freed female hostage to an undisclosed facility.

Poised for assault

3:30 p.m. Cigarette-puffing Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno leaves the police precinct, holding a folder of documents.

4 p.m. About 20 fully-armed SWAT operatives take their positions near the bus as if preparing for a possible assault or rescue.

4:15 p.m. Senior government officials, among them Foreign Undersecretary Esteban Conejos, arrive.

6:15 p.m. Negotiation appears to break down. Mendoza fires warning shot at Yebra and Salvador.

6:40 p.m. Gregorio scampers out of the police precinct, claims his superiors have ordered him arrested. His brother Florencio and other relatives embrace Gregorio to stop SWAT agents from arresting him.

Mendoza’s warning

6:50 p.m. Mendoza warns negotiators he will do something drastic.

6:55 p.m. Gregorio is arrested and handcuffed as accessory to the crime.

7:10 p.m. SWAT members, some wearing bull caps, approach the bus from the rear. A policeman using a sledgehammer tries to smash the bus’ glass windows. Heavy downpour falls.

7:15 p.m. Mendoza gets angry after seeing his brother getting arrested on a TV monitor. He threatens to kill the hostages.

The SWAT surrounds the bus. Snipers are placed in strategic areas in the vicinity but can’t get a clear shot of Mendoza.

A body is seen slumped on the floor, blocking the door, which opens inside.

7:20 p.m. At the center of the bus, Mendoza is seen lying on his stomach with a gun pointed to the rear of the bus. He uses two inert bodies as a shield.

7:23 p.m. Mendoza apparently starts firing at hostages.

Driver escapes

7:30 - 7:45 p.m. Driver Lubang escapes by jumping through the window. He runs away, shouting, “Pinatay na lahat iyong mga hostage (All the hostages have been killed).”

SWAT member PO1 Allan Dy slips into the bus through a rear door. Mendoza shoots him. The bullet hits Dy on the head, but he is wearing a Kevlar helmet and is not injured.

The assault team retreats and regroups.

8:19 p.m. Mendoza unleashes bursts of gunfire for several minutes. A teenager is hit by a stray bullet in the thigh.

Shot by sniper

8:30 p.m. Tear gas canister is thrown in. Mendoza gets up from his position and moves to the door.

8:44 p.m. A sniper shoots him through a crack in the door, hitting him in the head. The bullet exits through the back of his head.

8:45 p.m. Police declare crisis is over. Rescue ambulances arrive.

9:05 p.m. Mendoza’s body is loaded onto an ambulance.

By DJ Yap, Marlon Ramos, Jeannette Andrade

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Venus Raj

Congratulations Maria Venus Raj for being the fourth runner up in the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant.

A lot of people have criticized her supposed failure to answer the judge's question, but to me, it's already a great, great achievement to have reached the Magic 5 in the biggest and most prestigious beauty pageant in the universe. It was not easy being there, representing the Philippines, gracefully going through the whole pageant, especially with a tragedy that happened in the country just barely 24 hours before, and the tragic loss of Venus' best friend, 2009 Binibining Pilipinas International Melody Gersbach who died in a vehicular accident 2 days before the pageant night.

Mabuhay ka, Venus!

Photo by EPA/PAUL BUCK

It took one man to bring the country to shame.

Let one woman bring back its flame. ♥

God bless the Philippines!

Tragic Day

It's a very tragic day for us today. I am not even going into details about it as it's all over the news all over the world. I just would like to ask everyone to pray for everyone involved in this sad tragedy, for the souls of the victims, for the soul of the hostage-taker, for the families of the victims and the hostage-taker, for our country that we may rise up, for other countries that they may not judge us because of one person.

I just came from work and rehearsals so I'm physically exhausted, but that pales in comparison to the mental & spiritual exhaustion I'm experiencing right now. I just hope things will be brighter tomorrow.

Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth:

Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours;

and their works do follow them.

Revelation 14:13

Dora Grows Up

My daughter grew up watching and learning a lot from the cute Dora the Explorer with her friends. I too have enjoyed watching it with her since she was a baby. I was surprised when my officemates told me that Dora has indeed grown up too. I googled it and was surprised to see a grown up Dora. Well, not really grown up but a teenage Dora.

What can you say about Dora growing up?

NOT Charice's Audition Vid

There's a video circulating in Facebook (it has been removed already in YouTube) originally posted by YT user ChaGleek which he/she claimed to be Charice's Glee Audition. This is just to clarify that it is NOT Charice's audition for Glee. Charice herself confirmed that this video was taken during her meeting with the people of US Magazine. Her real audition is still strictly confidential and therefore NOT available yet to the public. At the very end of the so-called "audition," the others in the room asked her if she was going to be on Glee. You can see that there is also an entire wall of US Magazine covers on the left wall.. and yeah, the original uploader of this vid in YouTube had her vid removed because of false information :)

And yes, Charice still is amazing in this vid ♥

Thor Enough?

When Chris Hemsworth was announced to play Thor, some fan boys reacted that he doesn't look the part, and he's not big enough to convincingly play the Norse God of Thunder. The first picture released showed Chris in the costume, but it didn't show how big he was so the fan boys were not convinced. If you remember in the comics and cartoons, Thor perhaps has the biggest muscles among the Avengers.

Looking at the new picture of Chris from the movie, I'd like to ask the fan boys now, Is he big enough for you?

Thor will be released worldwide on May 6, 2011, 2 months before Captain America: First Avenger (July 22, 2011) and a year before the much anticipated Avengers (May 4, 2012).

Sister to Daughter

My first official rehearsal went well last night, and I was right, the role is the most challenging ever for me. Yes, I can say it's difficult, but as I've said in my previous post, I will not back down, and one of the reasons is that almost all of my scenes are going to be with my sis, who's playing the role of my daughter in the production. Haha, I know it's kinda weird, and to think that my most emotional scenes and song will be with her. My sister who's 6 years younger than me will be playing my 17 year old daughter in the play! :)

By the way, I only have 2 songs: a duet and a solo. I am fortunate that both songs are very beautiful, and while there's no big problem with the duet, the solo is already difficult in itself, and the more it is with all the emotions needed for that song and scene. I haven't met my alternate yet, but I'm sure he has no problems with everything since he was one of the 2 original actors who played the part last year. The other one is already our producer now. I am also looking forward to rehearsing with my sis' alternate, who's also a very beautiful and talented girl.

It's the magic inside you,

it's the light you bring.

It's the hope you give me,

you're the miracle of living ♥

Great Expectations

Yesterday, I finally decided to join the cast of Kindred Hearts: A Musicale, and was planning to attend my very first rehearsals today with my sis. When our scheduled meeting at the office was cancelled last night, I decided to drop by at the rehearsals without my sis who had prior commitments. I had butterflies in my stomach because it had been centuries since I last attended a rehearsal for a production, and most of the people in this production, I don't know (and doesn't know me) yet.

I told the producer and director that I'll just be observing in the background that evening, and everything seemed fine until the company call, when the director introduced me to everyone present. Introducing me was fine, how he did it was not. He told the cast and crew a LOT of things about me that from a virtual unknown, I was suddenly the center of attention, and will continue to be someone that everyone will be watching and listening intently.

Great!

The role itself is challenging, the songs are difficult, and adding to the pressure are the great expectations from everyone. This definitely will not be a walk in the park for me, but I'm up to the challenge. Yes, it is my most challenging role ever, and I'm not going to back down.

Wish me luck! :)

Lesson from a Bamboo

The taller the bamboo grows,

the lower it bends..

something I've learned from my former boss.

Image from Agree Horizon

Bisdaks is Love

I made this for all the volunteers and donors who made

Misyon: Regalong Handog sa Cebu successful.

We didn't only bring a big smile to the kids' faces,

more importantly, in our own little way,

I know we were able to bring a bigger smile to their hearts ♥

Comeback?

The overall producer of Kindred Hearts who's a good friend just offered me the chance to make a sort of come back to performing after years of being inactive. It's a short supporting but important role and a very challenging one at that. I told him that I'll have to think it over and inform him of my decision this coming weekend.

When my sis, Kaz, and I agreed to help this production, we agreed that we would be working behind the scenes, she as in-charge of marketing, and me as production consultant. We were so excited to help and share what we know, but never did we expect to be a part of the cast. She will be playing the female lead, and if I push through in joining, I will be playing her father. Though we have performed together ever since we were younger, it will be the first time for us to play a father & daughter in a heavy drama play.

A whole new experience waiting for me if I decide for it.

APFI Cebu: Regalong Handog (A W. Mallari)

The groundwork for change, the search for purpose- What keeps us impassioned? With all the abject poverty that surrounds our children here in the Philippines, and multiplying by the masses, how do we get from here to there? How do we begin to infuse ambition, drive, and hope in our children? When you encounter mothers and fathers who sacrifice everything, work to no end, and then are still unsure of how to earn enough for their family's next meal- when the equivalent of a mere $40 tuition for their children’s education is beyond reach, the inability to pay for their children's school uniforms and school supplies; are these the experiences that empower us to actually address the hardship and help our kababayan? Is it when you've finally come to realize that you've been blessed many times over in your life that you stop to say thank you, and then truly offer your blessings to those of lesser fortune?

For all that I am unaware, for all the things that I don't know, I am certain the Bisdaks have a greater knowledge for giving, service, and purpose than I've ever possessed or demonstrated in my lifetime. I can pray for change, pray for my people…and never lift a finger to help. I can hope and wish for blessings for our children and never make a difference. It seems that so many can, without knowing, set out on a course for just average, to do average things, to plan for just average results. The APFI extends its heart-felt thanks to a group from Cebu that understands that if we are to make sense of all this and truly make a difference we cannot begin without extraordinary planning, sacrifice, and care. The Bisdaks efforts would prove to be atypical and far more than just average.

From the moment Tessang, Justice, and I touched down, the Bisdaks were grassroots and essentials. Just moments to settle in and we were off for a quick mission briefing over dinner with Bang Longakit, Egay Salvacion, Raul Luremae, Fastinio Astillo and Victor Astillo, to name just a few. As though they left nothing to chance and given only weeks to prepare, they drafted Misyon Regalong Handog with little conjecture. I suspected Tessang was at ease and comforted in knowing that the Bisdaks had truly poured countless hours and effort into planning what would be an extraordinary day.

For perspective, think about that at some point today, most of us will say a prayer, fight the morning rush, spend most of the day indoors, spend time with our spouse...spend countless hours online, spend time with our children, eat too many calories...fill in our free time watching television in a home where there are more televisions than people to watch them- be fascinated by the rich and famous, argue over celebrities, quarterbacks and random nonsense...and come nightfall , maybe think about where to take our hopes and dreams. Reset to Sitio Kamanggahan, Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City- for just a day, and imagine a small village against the world, against global competitiveness, against the world economic forum. A town, unkempt and course, most indicative of the Philippine provinces I've come to know, yet a town that is trying its best to be more than average. I couldn't begin to tell you how the typical day plays out, how an ordinary person in Guadalupe fills the day, or even how to define average here. What I can tell you is that for a child in Barangay Guadalupe, it will not be a question of faith or what they desire and where their dreams take them, but rather who will believe in their dreams, who will teach and give them reason to aspire and be more than average. In my estimation, Misyon Regalong Handog is more than an ephemeral gifting of food and hygiene. Dig deeper and it is the brainchild for change, a model to be more than average. On August 7, 2010, the Bisdaks captured the day's worth and made the children's happiness their focus and duty.

The day began with an early brunch with Raul Luramae, Mila Aguilar-Lasquites, and Lucy Itoh. Keyed up and ready to take on the day, we arrived at Sitio Kamanggahan and made the acquaintance of Counselors Dino Faelnar and Micheal Gacasan, teachers, notably Mylene Tura, and fellow volunteers alike. Following the natural preparations of assessment and set-up, we fell in for a 1:00pm assembly- a volunteer orientation and at 2:00pm began the day's work with a prayer. Following Lyla Gecain, Bang Longakit, Egay Salvacion, and Julie Romano’s welcome remarks and announcements, Tessang would address the assembly and share a personal note of praise and gratitude that Arnel had forwarded to her the night before. To start, John Al Arenas from the Department of Health would donate his time by sharing lessons of proper hygiene with the children.

I must say that I admire Justice who, despite fever and flu, would not be deterred in her duty as she made it a point to be a part of the day, refused to withdraw from her responsibilities- while combating sickness and nausea, still managed to contribute a great deal. She has been a radiant example of volunteerism. (Many thanks to all the Bisdaks who took turns in seeing to her wellness.) The day progressed like clock-work, timely and with order. The children were treated to fun and games with a quintet of dancers and two amazingly talented, tireless clowns who would entertain a growing crowd for literally hours on end. Bisdak volunteers would remain high-spirited and purposeful even as the day wore down and the children fell in line one by one to receive their gift-bags. To my amazement, the children remained unduly enthused and involved. Unusually attentive 3-5 year old children- and I thought, to no degree are these children average or second-rate as the natural social order will attempt to deceive them into believing. And I know that however lasting or evanescent our work here proves to be, each remains a remarkable gift. I will not be cheated into believing that one child is more significant than another based on where they live or how they survive. All are valuable. All have the ability to make the biggest difference. They will suffer fourth-class conditions, endure a seemingly pitiless environment, but they are first-rate in capacity, intellect, and heart. We must always see them in this light. May we teach them nothing less than to know their value. They are worth everything.

I’d like to share with you the efforts of a teacher that I came to know at Misyon Regalong Handog. For perspective, there are 9 Barangays in what is called District 3. Of all the Guadalupe Daycare Centers accredited by the DSWS, there are a total of 7 teachers. Now, of the 31 total daycare teachers in all of District 3, Mylene Tura, per an educational 2009 Evaluation Program, was awarded 2nd place for District 3 by the Department of Educational Ranking. The program consists of oral, written, and live classroom demonstration. Mylene Graduated UC Secondary Education, has been teaching for 4 years and is currently teaching at the “Little Angels Daycare Center” in Sitio Kamanggahan, Brgy. Guadalupe Cebu City. Her expertise is in teaching grades K1, 1-3yrs and K2, 4-5yrs. She begins her day at 8am teaching a class of 23 students. At 10am she then teaches another group of 27 students. At 1pm, she faces yet another 38 students for the total responsibility of 88 children. For now, the classes are held 5 days a week outdoors under a tent. (There is a small classroom under construction, suitable for about 15 children at a time.) Her students come from families that cannot afford to send their children to the local public school where the tuition is roughly P2000 or $44. Parents will compensate Mylene Tura P75 or $1.60 per month for their children to attend her daycare center- a salary of a little over $100/month. Of this, she will actually allocate, out of her own pocket, whatever materials she deems necessary to help her children learn. She explained to me that she uses a methodology of teaching that doesn’t require books- my modest guess, a subsequent practice born as the result of a harsh reality, but an actual concept of education nonetheless. I truly see Mylene Tura as nothing less than a hero. Should any of my life’s work come even remotely close to her daily routine of teaching our children in the outdoor heat under a make-shift tent, might I have achieved something of relative significance in my lifetime? I ask that anyone interested in providing aid, learning more about Mylene Tura, her challenges and the “Little Angels Daycare Center” to kindly direct your questions or comments to the APFI website. I will personally be more than happy to contact Ms. Tura on your behalf.

For the APFI, many thanks to all the Bisdak volunteers and to all the donors of Misyon Regalong Handog. Your efforts are a model of heart, kindness, and generosity. Consider the archetype of Misyon Regalong Handog and you will arrive at life’s purpose. Together, may we make every effort to help our children overcome average, to be significant, outlast failure and show them how to get from here to there.

I speak only from observation and reflection in that we can often act as though we are squeezing the priority of our children into our schedules. But let us believe that they are the most important part of our lives. If loving our children is to be the greatest aim of the APFI, let our example here echo in abundance. I believe that the Bisdaks, in their toil, have revealed a paradigm or sorts and exposed to us all what our true objective in life should be. The most enduring impact we will have on this earth is how we love our children. We will never know a greater work nor possess a more significant identity. We will never find a more meaningful purpose. To love our children is to love God. May we not need a lifetime to learn this.

Will Mallari

APFI Volunteer

Misyon: Regalong Handog sa Cebu

After less than a month of meticulous and thorough preparations, we finally had our gift-giving activity last Saturday for 100 day care kids at Guadalupe, Cebu City. It was project of the Arnel Pineda Foundation Inc. and the Bisdaks. With the help of friends and donors here and abroad, we were able to give a LOT of useful things to the kids, like school supplies, personal hygiene kits, food, drinks, and laughter. We got the services of clowns/magician to make the event more enjoyable and memorable for them.

The project was APFI's first in Cebu and was dubbed Misyon: Regalong Handog sa Cebu, and attended by us Bisdaks with our families and friends who became instant volunteers, and 3 representatives from APFI Manila, Tessang (board member), Will (documentation) and Arnel Pineda's very pretty daughter, Justice (photos). Justice was sick but that didn't stop her from doing her responsibilities.

Though it was kinda draining for everyone who were involved in the activity from the planning meetings until the day, it was a wonderful experience that we will never forget. Yes, we may have given them a lot of material things, but more importantly, we're happy that even in our own little way, and for a few hours, we were able to bring a BIG smile on their faces, and an even BIGGER smile on their hearts.

Busy but Worthwhile

It has been a very busy but somewhat fulfilling first week of August. I'm dead tired right now, and I think I'll be this tired for at least a week. At work, we've had A LOT of calls, voicemails and emails because our client finally shut down the old version of the program we're handling, and a lot of his customers haven't upgraded to the new version yet, therefore creating a sort of chaos for the companies using our program. Yes, it was hell week at the office, and not just because of our client, also because of an officemate. Yes, the same wolf and absentee employee.

I'm very thankful though that despite the stress at work, I was able to do something worthwhile with the Bisdaks and the APFI for the daycare kids in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City. I will be posting more about about it in my next post, as I'm still very sleepy. Have only slept for a total of 6 hours in the last 3 days.

Thank you Lord for the gift of life, and for always being there. Thank you for the opportunity to share.

KH Poster

Relive the Story, Feel the romance

hear the music, all over again...

The Serenity Prayer

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

Avengers Assemble

There have been a lot of rumors and speculations, but finally, everything has been confirmed. This is the first photo of the Avengers coming together. The movie won't be shown until May 4, 2012 but seeing the cast together for the first time publicly is enough for the fanboy in me to look forward to it.

Yes, there's a slight change in the casting (Mark Ruffalo will play Bruce Banner / Hulk replacing Edward Norton), but I know it will still rock. Jeremy Renner, who was nominated for an Oscar recently, will be added to the group as Hawkeye.

Let's see if you folks can name the characters in the picture above. ;)